Roof replacement cost in McAllen, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $5,150 – $10,800
- Per sq ft of roof
- $2.55 – $5.20
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −14%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #285
- 1 = most expensive
A new roof in McAllen, TX usually costs $5,150 to $10,800 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. That works out to about $2.55 to $5.20 per sq ft of roof before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,300 less. Roofers earn a median of $22.13 an hour in the McAllen area, 17% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in McAllen, TX, standard level
$6,850 to $9,150
About $3.35 to $4.40 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,450 | $3,750 |
| Labor | $4,200 | $5,050 |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $330 |
| Total | $6,850 | $9,150 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in McAllen, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,500 | $3,100 | $4,700 | 39% |
| Labor | $3,600 | $4,650 | $5,700 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $260 | $430 | 3% |
| Total | $5,150 | $8,000 | $10,800 | 100% |
Where the McAllen price comes from
Labor is 58% of the midpoint bill here, against 61% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is roofers (85%), construction laborers (15%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In McAllen the blended ratio comes out at 0.82. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Texas statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. McAllen is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,300 nationally becomes $3,100 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 85.9: $85 to $430.
Data note: 85% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in McAllen. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in McAllen
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For McAllen the blend is 0.82.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 85% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the McAllen metro, so we used the Texas statewide median: $22.13 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.00 and $25.78 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 15%) the local median is $16.57 an hour, which is 27% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.08 and $18.08 an hour. BLS counts 1,360 of them working in the area, 45.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (roofers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $660 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $750. That is a swing of roughly 9.4% to 8.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission has 296,700 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 86th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $18.00 | $22.13 | $25.78 | $26.65 | 0.83 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $14.08 | $16.57 | $18.08 | $22.66 | 0.73 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.82 | |||||
McAllen weather and the roof replacement calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Mcallen Miller Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in McAllen are October through April: 7 of 12. Outside them, May, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
McAllen gets about 22 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.6 inches in September). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.7 inches. The station averages about 177 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 73 | 53 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 77 | 57 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 83 | 63 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 88 | 68 | 1.4 | Workable |
| May | 93 | 74 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Jun | 97 | 78 | 3.0 | Hot |
| Jul | 99 | 79 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 100 | 79 | 1.8 | Hot |
| Sep | 94 | 76 | 4.6 | Hot |
| Oct | 89 | 69 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 80 | 60 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 74 | 54 | 1.1 | Workable |
McAllen: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to McAllen. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small (1,200 sq ft of roof) to very large (3,600 sq ft of roof).
Basic
$5,150 to $7,450
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$6,850 to $9,150
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$8,550 to $10,800
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $3,150 – $4,550 | $4,200 – $5,600 | $5,250 – $6,650 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $5,150 – $7,450 | $6,850 – $9,150 | $8,550 – $10,800 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $7,200 – $10,300 | $9,550 – $12,700 | $11,900 – $15,000 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $9,250 – $13,200 | $12,200 – $16,200 | $15,200 – $19,100 |
Is McAllen cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than McAllen. Corpus Christi is the lowest at about $7,450 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof), 115 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen, TXthis page | $5,150 – $10,800 | $8,000 | |
| Brownsville, TX50 miles | $5,200 – $10,800 | $8,000 | level |
| Corpus Christi, TX115 miles | $4,700 – $10,100 | $7,450 | −7% |
| Laredo, TX120 miles | $5,150 – $10,800 | $8,000 | level |
| San Antonio, TX210 miles | $5,100 – $10,700 | $7,900 | −1% |
| Austin, TX270 miles | $5,400 – $11,200 | $8,300 | +4% |
| Texas (statewide) | $5,350 – $11,200 | $8,300 | +4% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | +16% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, McAllen ranks #285 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, McAllen is 3% below the Texas figure.
Elsewhere in Texas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $5,550 – $11,700 | $8,600 | +8% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $5,350 – $11,300 | $8,350 | +4% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $5,400 – $11,200 | $8,300 | +4% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $5,100 – $10,700 | $7,900 | −1% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $4,550 – $9,850 | $7,200 | −10% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $4,700 – $10,100 | $7,450 | −7% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is McAllen against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse, NY | 300,130 jobs | $6,550 – $13,200 | $9,850 | +23% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $6,200 – $12,500 | $9,350 | +17% |
| Provo, UT | 304,660 jobs | $5,450 – $11,400 | $8,400 | +5% |
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $6,750 – $13,700 | $10,200 | +28% |
Planning more than one job in McAllen?
Jobs that often go together with roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same McAllen wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, attic insulation comes out highest (−6%) and vinyl siding lowest (−18%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $8,400 – $28,300 | −14% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,100 – $3,650 | −13% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $6,900 – $20,700 | −18% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $940 – $3,750 | −6% |
Why two McAllen quotes can differ
Shingle type
3-tab asphalt is $3-$5 per sq ft installed; architectural is $4-$6 (HomeGuide). Metal, tile and slate are separate projects with much higher ranges.
Roof area, not floor area
Pitch and complexity mean roof surface is larger than the house's footprint. A 1,500 sq ft ranch can have 1,800-2,200 sq ft of roof.
Tear-off and layers
Removing a second layer or rotted decking adds cost, and the contractor can only see decking damage after tear-off.
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Detailed roof replacement report for McAllen, TX, $9
Multi-page report for McAllen, TX: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Roof replacement in McAllen: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in McAllen?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $5,150 to $10,800 in the McAllen area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,850 to $9,150. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for roof in McAllen?
About $2.55 to $5.20 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $85 to $430 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in McAllen or Brownsville?
Brownsville is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $8,000, which is 0% more than McAllen ($8,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in McAllen?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $4,650 out of $8,000. Materials are 39% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in McAllen?
$7,200 to $15,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in McAllen?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $85 to $430 for fees in the McAllen area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is McAllen expensive for roof compared with the rest of Texas?
McAllen is 3% below the Texas statewide estimate ($8,300 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in McAllen?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $22.13 an hour, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.00 to $25.78.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in McAllen?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $5,150 to $7,450 and premium work $8,550 to $10,800. Basic means: 3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof. Premium means: heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs.
+When is the best time to replace a roof in McAllen?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through April. January and February are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Roof replacement near McAllen
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = HomeGuide's asphalt shingle price of $80-$250 per roofing square (100 sq ft), i.e. $0.80-$2.50 per sq ft. The rest of the installed price covers roofer labor ($1.50-$3.00/sq ft), tear-off, disposal, underlayment and contractor overhead.